Arctic Grayling

Image Description

The Arctic Grayling has a slender body, short head, unusually large eyes, small square shaped mouth, and a greatly enlarged dorsal fin. They are vividly coloured fish, especially during the spawning period, with a dark purplish blue back and purplish grey sides with scattered black spots. The large dorsal fin with its rows of orange or emerald green spots edged with orange give the Arctic grayling male an iridescent peacock coloration. Diet is terrestrial insects form the larger part of their diet, but they also feed on bottom nymphs, snails, small fish and eggs. Arctic grayling are found in streams, rivers and lakes throughout Yukon.